Method of and apparatus for cleaning gases



F1. -R`.M'GE'E.. v mlnoniorAND'AP'PMWUS.Fon` CLEANING GASES.

APPLICAUQN FILED MA:,Y 1.3. i918. .v

Patented Apr. 27, 1920.

y INVENTOR MCGEE.

Patented F. n. METHOD 0F AND APPAB APPLICATIQN F ff INVENTOR Zaa /f War/rey v F. R. McGEE', l METHQQHOF AN'D APPARATUS FORHCLEANINGGASES. APPLICATION mio MM 13 191s. 4 I 1,338,143, I Patented Apr, 27,1920.

` A y I asuEgTs-suzEr-s.

METHoD or AND ArPAEATUsFoR CLEANING .GAsE

FRANK R. MOGEE, 0F STEUBENVILLE,"OHIO.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Pateneeuap1--2a 1920.

ki'lp'plication filed May 13, 19,18. Serial r No.234,290.

To U11/hum tm/1y concern:

Beit known that I, FRANK R. MCGEE, a citizen of`the United States, andresident of Steubenville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Ohio, have invented certain .new and useful Improvements in Methods of and Apparatus for Cleaning Gases, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates tol cleaning4 gases, and while not limitedto such uses, more particularly relates to the removal of finely divided solids and liquids or semi-liquids such as flue dust or tar, or similar impurities, from blast furnace gases,l thegases evolved in the operation of by-product coke ovens, gas producers, gases, and from the gases or products of combustion evolved in operating cement kilns, steam boilers, and the like.

One object of my invention is to provide a novel method of cleaning gases embodying a combination of centrifugal and centripetal forces in separating the gases from impurities carried in suspension therein and adapted to form a stream .of flowing gases into a core of cleaned gases, and a surrounding annular layer of impurity laden gases to collect the cleaned gases and to separate and collect the segregated impurities.

Another object of this invention is the provision of gas cleaning apparatus having novel means whereby impurities, either solidor liquid or a mixture of both carried in suspension in such gases `are mechanically removed therefrom ina rapid, effective and economical manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gas .cleaner having improved means for automatically separating the gases from the impurities and for trapping or isolating the separated impurities as fast as removed from the gases, and for preventing the removed impurities from rentering or mixing with the cleaned gases.

Astill further object of my invention is the provision of a gas cleaner having the novel constructions, arrangements and combination of parts shown in the drawings, and to be described in detail hereinafter and particularly pointed outl in the appended claims.

.Referring now to thedrawingsr forming partof this specification, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing gas cleaning', apparatus embodying the novel features of my invention and adapted for use in carrying.

and similar combustible out the method forming partofthis invention. ,1. f Fig. 2 is a Sectionalp'lan of the apparatus shown in Fig. ,1,y thesection `being taken` on the line Ill-JI of Fig. l. i

Fig. 3 is a. sectional elevation von a larger scale, showing detailsin the construction of thellgas cleaner. y f Fig.' 4 is a sectionaly elevation,l showing details in the construction of a modified form of header forming part of apparatus con structed in accordance with this invention. Fig. .i is a sectional elevation, similar to that shown in Fig. 4, showing a further modification in the construction o'f the header forming part of my improved apparatus.' l

Fig. 6 isa sectionalelevation, similar to those shown in Figs. 4 and 5, illustrating another modification in the construction of the headers.

AFig. 7 is a plan, showing details in the construction o f the headers forming part -of my invention. f

Fig. 8 is a plan, showing a development of the curvedvanes on the headersV of Figs. l, 3,4, 5, and 6, the circumference of the headers beingequal to the distance between the verticalmarginal lines XMX of Fig. 8.v In the' accompanying drawings, the nu,

meral 2 designates the cylindrical metal' shell of a gas cleaner having frusto-conical ends 3 and 4, with an inlet on itsupper end connected to a 'gas supply conduit 5 and having a gas'outlet 6 adjacent to the lower end thereof which is connected to the. cleaned gas conduit 6a. The shell 2 is provided on its upper errd'with la flange 7 byy which the upper end or head 3 o-f the reg ceiver is detachably fastened to the shell, the small end of this head having a flange 8 by which the flange 9 on the end of the gas conduit 5 is detachably connected toV the gas cleaner. vSecured to thefinner surface of the shell 2, at separate points in the height thereof, i

are brackets'orannular-fianges 10 andll,A and .supported 'on' the horizontal legs yof.

these flanges lare diaphragms'or septums 1Q. and'l forming transversev partitions separating the shell 2 into a top gas distributing .chamber A, van intermediate dust or im# purity receiving chamber B, and a bottom,

gas collecting chamber-C. f The septum '13, which vis frustoaconical in cross section,has a `neck 14 connecting the lower endl of `the chamber B with the up er end of the 'impurity or dust storage c amber D. Outlet openings 15 and 16 at the lower end of the' gas collecting chamber C and the stora chamber D are closed by means of a -movab e sealing bell 17, this bell and its operating mechanism bein old and well known constructions and, 1n the construction shown, serving to close both of the outlet openings 15 and 16. Obviously, however, separate bells 17, one for each chamber may be used instead o f one, when found desirable or necessary. f

The upper septum 12 which separates the gas distributing chamber A from the dust or impurity receivin chamber B is provided with a series o `flanged openings or holes, whichare/shown arranged in three concentric rows, (see Fi 2), and rigidly secured by its upper en in each 4of these holes, so as to depend therefrom, is a short gas cleaning or conduit pipe 18. The conduits 18, which are peened or otherwise rigidly fastened in the flanged openings of the partition 12 so as to extend vertically, have lower ends ywhich terminate above the upper end of the) frusto-conical partition 13 se arating the impurity receiving chamber ffrom the as collectin chamber C, at about the mi dle of the eight of the chamber B.

tition 13 also is provided with a series vof 'flanged openin s, similar to those in fthe"k partition 12, W ich are arranged in three concentric rows and rigidly secured b its lower end in each of the openings or ho es is an upwardly extending pipe or conduit pipe 19, the conduits 19 being of somewhat ing conduit 18, the gap' vforming a trap openin into the impurity receivlng chamber B, as is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and'3) A frusto-conical'defiector 21 having, as shown,`a short cylindrical neck 22 which forms an outlet at its lower end, is posi-v tioned within the gas collecting chamber C, at the upper en d thereof, so as to deflect to the center of the chamber, the gases de livered thereinto through the gas cleaning `conduits 19. In this way the gases are caused to flow more equally from conduits 19 andto sweep over the inclined outer surface 24 0f the upper part of the chamber D,

o c u Y e n l c I which alds 1n removlng any impurities 1n .the gases in the passage of the gases to the .outlet leading to the clean gas conduit 6,

the finely divided solids or liquids or other 4impurities sliding downwardly over the surduit 5 (see Fig. 1). The upper end of the pipe orpipes 25 opens into the upper end of the distributing chamber A between the pair of injector cones 26 and'27 so that the stream of gases flowing into the chamber A from the supply conduit 5 willhave an aspirating effect within the annular space forming the gas outlet between the cones 26, 27 and in this way create a suction in the pipe or pipes 25 to cause a slight but sus,- tained circulation of 'gases through the receiving chamber B, the dust collecting or storage chamber D, and circulating pipe or pipes 25. .A gate valve 28 is provided on each pipe 25 to shut off either or all the pipescwhen found necessary,I and, by partly The lower frusto-conical septum or parl@ closing the valves to regulate and control the circulation through these pipes.

The back pressure within the chamber B may be relieved in other ways. For example the suction cones 26 and 27 may be omitted when a small motor driven exhaust fan or .blower is substituted for the valves 28 of Fi 1. smaller diameter than the conduits 18 and ositioned within the upper end of .each of the depending pipes 18 is a centrifugal header 29, the headers having a hollow center with a pointed upper end-30 and each header having a series of curved vanes 31 on its periphery to impart a rapid whirling motion to the ases passing between advjacent vanes. T e outer edges of the series of vanes are of such diameter as will neatly fit within the conduits 18, (see Figs. 1 and 3), and lugs 32 afford means for holding i the headers in suspended position within the upper end of the pipes 18.

, By making the supporting lugs 32 part of or continuations of two or more of the vanes 31, the header construction may be simplified with less obstruction to the entrance of the gases into the conduits 18.

In the construction shown in Figs'l and 3,the upper edges 33 of the vanes 31 are positioned a slight distance below the upper ends of the tubes 18, so that the pointed ends 30 form an inlet of gradually decreasingarea for the impurity laden gases entering between the vanes 31 from the gas distributing chamber A.

In the construction shown in detail in Fig.v 4, the vanes 31 are located somewhat lower within the tubes 18, so that the pointedy ends 30 of the headers are positioned` at a pointy are fastened, the pointed ends 3() of 'the 'headers projecting upwardly into the gas distributing chamber A in this construction.

By reference to the development shown in Fig. 8, it will be seen that the upper part of the vanes 31 forming part of my improved apparatus are curved downwardly and that the lower, ends of the curved portions of the vanes tangent with a straight portion 34 and that the straight portions 34 of adjacent vanesy form a parallel sided outlet opening 35 for the gases passed through the cleaning tubes 18.

In the operation of cleaning gases by the method forming part of my invention with the apparatus shown and described,- and also forming party of my in yntion, the impurity laden gasesiow into the gas distributing chamber A lfrom the gas inlet jwhich is connected to a source of gas supply, and pass from the chamber A into the open upper ends of the series of depending gas cleaning conduits or pipes 18. In enterlng vthe pipes 18 the gases come into contact with the curved vanes 31 of the h ders 29 and, in passing through the tiilets 35 formed between adjacent vanes, the gasesl are given a rapid spiral or whirling motion, the velocity of the gases being increased in emerging through the converginlg outlets formed by adjacent vanes 31. he combined action of the whirling motion and increased velocity of the gases forces the Igases to travel through the conduits 18 in a spiral,`

path and causes' the finely divided solids or liquids or semi-liquids,'or other impurities in the gases to be thrown outwardly by centrifugal force, soy as to form a thin, annular ring of impurity laden gases, this annularl ring of gases and outwardly thrown impurities hugging thewallsvv of the pipes `18 and f forming annular, -streams of impurities which passdownwardly .with `the gasesy inw.. the pipes 18 and :which scour the surfaces ofy `the pipes in passing therethrough'.`

Themajor portion; of the gases entering each of the conduitsl8-after passing the headers 29'is expandedcentripetally and forms a centra-1y core of'cleaned gases. sur-KA rounded byfafthin annular layers of-gases which contains the centrifugally thrown impurities. s r

Uporr reaching the lower end vof the depending pipes 18 the annular rings of impurities orv impurity laden vgases .'pass.

through the gaps or annular openings 20 formed between the telescoped endsof the' conduits or pipes 18 and 19, and are thereby trapied within the dust receiving chamber B.

he circulation of gases maintained through the lchamber B and circulating pipes 25 relieves the back pressure within the chamber B and being slight, the finely divided solids or other impurities fall upon the conical partition 13 and slide downwardly, passing by gravity through the neck 14 into the impurity storage chamber D. The central core of cleanedgases in the pipes 18, from which the impurities have been removed by centrifugal force dueto the whirling motion of the gases, .pass through the pipes 19into the clean gas collecting chamber C and pass out of this chamber through the gas outlet 6 to a place of use. gases mixed with the thin annular rings of impurities formed in the depending pipes 18 also pass through the pipes 18, gravityv causing the rapidly moving particles of dust or other impurities to travel into' and through the annular space 20 formed be'- tween the telescoped ends of the pipes 18 and 19 into the dust receiving chamber B, and the gases fiowing through the pipes 25 being practically clean and preventing re-v tardation of the flow of impurities into the chambers B and D.

The peculiar construction and arrangement of the vanes 31 on the headers 29 in the upper .ends of the tubes 18 very materially increases the velocity of the gases pass-y so that "the impurities in the gases are thrown outwardly and are held by cen-v trifugal force against the wall of these The relatively small amounts of:

ing through the pipes 18, and impart a4 rapid spiral or whirling motion to the gases y pipes, while the gases after passing the y headers 29 are permitted to expand centripetally and move toward the axial center of the pipe, invthis way forming a core' of cleaned gases vand surrounding 'layer of impurity laden gases i-ne'ach ofthe pipes 18.

'Thefscouring' action of thedust ladenv `gases :in passingy -'lielically f` downward-` through the'pipes`18 and 19 will keep'the'f surfaces of these pipes clean* and will pref" vent/the impuritiesfromclinging or build" ing up onthe' innerl surfaces of the ',pi'pes.`` l By maintainingaslight circulation of gases: throughthe chambers Band D the 'deposil" tion ofi the impurities l'is vfacilit'atel,"while n picking 'up' of Ldepsited impurities by is gases passing through the*- chamber B substantially eliminated. t '7? t" The advantages' fm'y iivetien" wil b 136vrl apparent 'to those skilled in the art. The

' apparatus is simple, has no moving parts,

- said conduits.

and is easily and cheaply constructed and will not require frequent repairs. The gases are effectively cleaned by the combined centrifugal and centripetal forces employed. By employing a' large number of comparatively small cleaning pipes, instead of a single large pipe the stream of gases is broken up into a multiplicity of small streams which enables a much larger proportion of the impurities being removed due to the greater centrifugal force developed in the small pipes, and permits of the length or vertical height of the cleaning pipes being materially reduced.

Modifications in the `construction and arrangement of the parts forming my improved gas cleaning apparatus may be made without departing from my invention as defined in the appended claims.

l claim l. A gas cleaner comprising a gas dis? tributing chamber, a gas collecting chamber and an impurity receiving chamber, a gas inlet on the distributing chamber, a vas impurity outlet on the collecting chamber, an outlet on the impurity receiving chamber, a series of conduits connecting the distributing chamber with the collecting chamber, said conduits having annular outlets opening into the impurity receiving chamber, and meanslin each conduit for imparting a whirling motion to the gases passed through 2. A gas cleaner comprising a gas distributing chamber, a gas collect1ng.chamber and an impurity recelvlng chamber, a gas inlet on the distributing chamber, a t gas 3. A gas cleaner comprising a gas dis-- tributing chamber, a gas collecti chamber and an impurity receivin cham r, a gas inlet on the distributing c amberal gasontlet on the collecting chamber an an outlet on the impurity receiving chamber a series ot conduits connecting'the distributing chamber with the collectin chamber, sai

conduits having annular out ets opening into the impurity receiving chamber, and a header for each conduit, said headers having spiral vanes thereon arranged to impart a spiral whirling movement to the gases passed through said conduits.

4, A gas cleaner comprising a gas disconnecting the distributingtributing chamber, a gas collecting chamber.'

and a dust receiving chamber, a gas inlet on the distributing chamber, a, as outlet on the collecting'chamber and a i ust outlet on the dust receiving chamber, a seriesof conduits connecting the distributing chamber with the gas collecting chamber, `said conduits having annular dust Outlets Opening into the dust receiving chamber, and av .header for the conduits having sp1ralvanes thereon arranged to imparta spiral whirling1 with the collecting' chamber, said conduits having annular dust outletsopening into on v7arranged to impart asv iral whirling movement to the gases passe 4through said conduits, said headers having a conoidal the dust receiving chamber, and a header for each conduit having spiral vanes thereupper end located within and coacting with the 4wall ofthe conduits to form a converging inlet to said vanes. i

6. A gas cleaner comprising a receiver having partitions forming a gas distributing chamber, a gas collecting chamber 'and an intermediate dust receiving chamber,'a dust storage chamber below the dust receiving chamber having a neck connecting the dust receiving and storage chambers, a: gas

inlet on the gas distributing chamber, a gasJ outlet on the ygas collecting chamber and a dust outlet on the dust storagechamber,

a plurality of pipes depending fromthe pary tition separating the gas dlstributin and y I' dust receiving chambers, a lurality o pipes extending upwardly into t e dust recelvmg chamber fromthe partition separating the dust receiving chamber andJ gas collecting chambers, the upperends offsaid u wardly extending pipes telescopi'ngvvithin t e lower ends of said depending-pipes and the. overlapped pipe ends coacting to form-annular outlets at the lower endsof pipes openingv int aidv ii chamber.

7- A gaslnl-q. havin partitions orm1ng"` ,a gas ing clamber, agascoIIecting'chamber and an intermediate dust receivmg-jchamber, a dust, storage chamber below the' dust receiving chamber having a neck-connecting the receiver the-depending Aust receiving 12e distributdus't receiving and stora chambers, a gas inlet on the gas distributing chamber, a gas outlet on the gas collecting chamber an a dust outlet on the dust stora v chamber, a

plurality of pipes depending om the parextending upwardly into the dust receiving chamber from thepartition separating the dust receiving and gas'collecting chambers,

the upper ends of said upwardly extending.

pipes telescoping within the lower Vends of said depending pipes and the overlapped pipe ends coacting to form annular outlets at the lower ends of the depending pipes opening into said dust collecting chamber, and means connecting the dusty receiving chamber with the gas distributing chamber and arranged to create circulation of gases through said dust receiving'chamber.

8. gas cleaner'v comprising a receiver having partitions forming a gas distributing chamber, a gas collecting chamber and an intermediate impurity receiving chamber, an impurity storage chamber below the impurity receiving chamber having av neck connecting said chambers, a gas inlet on the gas distributing chamber, a gas outlet on the gas collecting chamber and an impurity outlet on the impurity storage chamber, a

plurality of pipes depending, from the partition separating the gas distributing and impurity receiving chambers, a vplurality of pipes extending upwardly withinl the impurity receiving `chamber from the partition separating the 'gas collecting and impurity receivin chambers, the upper ends of said upward y extending pipes telescoping within the lower ends of said depending pipes and the overlapped pipe ends coacting to form annular outlets at the lower ends of the dependingpipes opening into said impurity receiving chamber, and means for imparting a whirling motion to the gases passed through said pipes.

9. A gas cleaner comprising a receiver having partitions forming a gas distributing chamber, a gas collecting chamber and an intermediate impurity receiving chamber, an impurity storage chamber below the impurity receiving chamber having a neck connecting said chambers, a gas inlet on the gas distributing chamber, a gas outlet on the gas collecting chamber, and an impurity outlet on the storage chamber, a plurality of pipes depending from the partition separating the gas distributing and impurity receiving chambers, a plurality of pipes eX- tending upwardly within the impurity receiving chamber from the partition separatwhirling movement to passing'v through the pipes.

410. A gas cleaner comprising a receiver.

gases having partitions forming a gas distributing chamber, a gas collecting chamber and an intermediate impurity receiving chamber, an impurity storage chamber below the impurity receiving chamber having a neck connectin the impurity receiving and storage chamy ers, a gas inlet on the gas distributing chamber, a gas outlet on the gas collecting chamber and an impurity outlet on the impurity storage chamber, a plurality of pipes depending from the partition separating the gas dlstributing and impurity receiving chambers, a plurality of pipes extending upwardly within the impurity receiving chamber from the partition between the impurity receiving and gas collecting chambers, the upper ends of said pipes telescoping within the lower ends of said depending pipes, and the overlapped pipe ends coacting to form annular' outlets opening into said impurity receiving chamber, and a header in each pipe, said headers having a series of vradial vanes adapted to impart a helical whirling movement to the gases in the travel thereof through said pipes.

11. A gas cleaner comprising a receiver having partitions forming a gas distribut- .ing chamber, a gas collecting chamber and between the gas distributing and impurity receiving chambers, a plurality of pipes eX- tending upwardly within the impurity receiving chamber from the partition between the impurity receiving and gas collecting chambers, and telescoping within the lower ends of said depending pipes, and the overlapped pipe ends coacting to form annular outlets opening into said impurity receiving chamber, and a header-in each pipe, said headers having a series of radial downwardly converging vanes adapted to impart a helical whirling motion to t e gases in the travel thereof through said pipes.

12. A gas cleaner comprising a receiver having. partitions forming a gas distributing chamber, a gas collecting chamber and an intermediate impurity `receiving chamber, an impurity storage chamzber below the impurity receiving chamber having a neck connecting said chambers, a gas inlet on the gas distributing chamber, a gas out-'- let on the gas collecting chamber and an 'ceiving and gas collecting chambers into the upper ends of said depending pipes and the overlapped pipev ends coacting to form annular outlets at the lower ends of the dependim1r pipes opening into 'said impurity receiviig chamber, and a header in said pipes, said headers having a series of radial downwardly convergmg curved vanes adapted to impart spiral whirling movement to the gases in the travel thereof throu h said pipes.

v 13. A he method of cleaning gases which consists in dividing a flowing stream of impurity laden gases i-nto a plurality of smaller annular streams, imparting a Whirling motion to said annular streams to thereby centrifu ally maintain the impurities in an annular layer while expanding the gases centripetally to form a central core of cleaned gases, delivering the core of exf' panded gases lnto a gas collectingchamber,

diverting the annular layer of limpurities into. an impurity collecting chamber, and

inducing a flow of gases through the impurity collecting chamber to thereby prevent back pressure in said impurity collecting chamber.

14;. The method 'of cleaning gases which consists in dividing a flowing stream of impurity laden gases into a plurality of smaller annular streams, imparting a whirling motion to said annular stream to thereby centrifugally maintain the impurities in an annular layer while expanding the gases centripetally to form a central core of cleaned gases, delivering the core of expanded gases into a gas collecting chamber and diverting the annular layer of impurities into an impurity collectin chamber, and inducing a flow of gases t rough the impurity receiving chamber to thereby prevent back pressure therein.

15. The method of cleaning gases which consists -in dividing a flowing stream of impurit laden gases into a plurality of smaller annu ar streams, imparting a whirling motion to said an`nular stream to thereby centrifugally maintain the impurities inl an annular layer while expanding the gases centripetally to form a central core of cleaned gases, delivering the core of expanded gases into v'a gas collecting chamber and diverting the annular layer of impurities into an impurity collectingA chamber,

inducing a flow Vof gases through the impurity receiving chamber to thereby prevent back pressure therein, and regulating the flow of gases therethrou h.

In testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand.

FRANK R. MCGEE. 

